Leicester Tigers v Gloucester Rugby, Saturday 3.00pm)

[Puja]

Wigglesworth scores after a lovely attacking move (that possibly got a generous not-forward-pass decision from the TMO). 19-3.

We have actual attacking play, a defence that doesn't look like it's going to concede every second, we're doing things that aren't just belting the ball aimlessly to the opposition. I am actually on the verge of tears. Gods may this continue for the whole season as I have missed not being ashamed of my team.

Puja

[francoisfou]

Tigers’ tackling is impressive

[Puja]

It has been 30 minutes and Leicester are being aggressive and confident in defence, while remaining disciplined and well-connected. Glaws haven't looked like breaking us. It's absolute night and day from the travesty that was the defence that let Matavesi wander through untouched a few months back.

Wigglesworth is looking like a belting signing so far. Adding an element of control to a young and inexperienced backline and has more than played his part in attack with scoring one try and assisting another.

Puja

[Banquo]

Good call getting wiggy

[Puja]

Glaws finally manage to break us to get back to 22-8. It was a good attack though (with a bit of luck where a Van Wyk near-interception bounced into Ackermann's hands), not just us capitulating. And I will take the hell out of a 14 point half-time lead, especially when it comes with 3 tries, which I can't remember us scoring in a game last year, let alone in a half.

I'll be honest, I don't really have time today to watch both this game and then the England game - I have stuff to do! I was expecting to watch about 10-15 minutes, be bored out of my skull/depressed by how quickly we were capitulating, and switch to the England game with enough of a lead to be able to skip through half-time. Now I've got to negotiate with my wife to have her keep hold of the kids for the whole afternoon. I suspect it's going to cost me.

Puja

[Gloskarlos]

Simple Glos errors the difference. Tigers deservedly ahead. I have to say though the officiating is sketchy. Tigers try with the forward pass couldn’t be any clearer. Penalty for Neck roll when there’s no roll? Tigers not coming through the gate on numerous occasions slowing ball down. Two high tackles missed one on Banahan stood upright for crying out loud and he ain’t exactly short. Glos tend to do better in the second half of late. Frankly they can’t do any worse.

[FKAS]

Glaws showing what they can do if we aren't accurate. Van Wyk misses the intercept and Glaws just squeeze it over.

Been a great half from Tigers. Actual attack and defence, been missing that for about three seasons now. Just need to keep it up in the second half, keep the concentration and be clinical. Got to sort the lineout as Glaws are picking us off but we look good when we win it.

Good to see Youngs and Cole getting in the refs ear about the scrum because Rapava Ruskin has done nothing but run it round all game. Ref is just letting them off the hook and every time they can't take the pressure and collapse.

[FKAS]

Simple Glos errors the difference. Tigers deservedly ahead. I have to say though the officiating is sketchy. Tigers try with the forward pass couldn’t be any clearer. Penalty for Neck roll when there’s no roll? Tigers not coming through the gate on numerous occasions slowing ball down. Two high tackles missed one on Banahan stood upright for crying out loud and he ain’t exactly short. Glos tend to do better in the second half of late. Frankly they can’t do any worse.

He choked Gigena. Clear as day arm under the throat and pressure. Just because he does roll doesn't mean it's not a penalty. Arm shouldn't be there.

The pass for the try was pretty close. I'm surprised they didn't zoom in on the hands because that's normally how they tell.

[Tigersman]

All I've seen about Wiese in the last super rugby unlocked competition was how he was going to be the next bok 8, so far our first actual 8 signing that is living up to a big boy name.

[Gloskarlos]

It’s actually Stanley whose struggling, VRR has tigers tight head on toast. You can see Stanley’s knees shaking, he’s folded twice or had to go for an early shove.

The forward pass wasn’t marginal in the slightest. I’ll concede the choke, I didn’t see any squeeze but I didn’t see the replay as the door bell went.

[Puja]

Simple Glos errors the difference. Tigers deservedly ahead. I have to say though the officiating is sketchy. Tigers try with the forward pass couldn’t be any clearer. Penalty for Neck roll when there’s no roll? Tigers not coming through the gate on numerous occasions slowing ball down. Two high tackles missed one on Banahan stood upright for crying out loud and he ain’t exactly short. Glos tend to do better in the second half of late. Frankly they can’t do any worse.

I wouldn't necessarily say that - it looked worse than it was because he was running full-tilt and then got tackled. Looking at the highlights over half-time, you're actually lucky that Van Wyk got a hand to that Cipriani pass, cause that definitely came out of his hands forward, so at worst we've had one each.

I think it'll come down to a question of confidence in the second half. Leicester could kick on in the next 40, but if Gloucester score first then the players might start remember they're most of the same team that got d*cked on by all and sundry last season and go back into their shells.

Puja

[Gloskarlos]

Just then, pen against glos for offside but the tigers guy is around his neck!

[Gloskarlos]

That’s more like it. A few phases without a brain fart

[Puja]

Just then, pen against glos for offside but the tigers guy is around his neck!

And the tackle on Wiese just then? I don't think you're not getting the rub - he's just letting them all go.

Fine try from Gloucester there - excellent finishing.

Puja

[FKAS]

Just then, pen against glos for offside but the tigers guy is around his neck!

Ref also allowed two Gloucester players to tackle the rolling maul in the Gloucester 22. Three minutes later Glaws get a try at the other end.

[FKAS]

At last. Glaws scrum finally called for running round to avoid the pressure.

[Puja]

If he's getting yellow carded for pulling down a forward moving maul on the line, how is that not a penalty try?!

Puja

[Puja]

And, of course, we screw up the next maul. A very good yellow card for Glaws to give away there.

Puja

[Tigersman]

All the new signings looking good.
McGinty has done wonders in that department.

Potter especially will be brilliant value.

[Gloskarlos]

Hanson lucky there. No force in it but retaliation with a foot isn’t on. Glos front row reserves really aren’t up to it. Killed it as a contest with penalty after penalty conceded. If Skivington thinks he’s building a pack to be fearful of (which we haven’t had in over a decade now) he needs to go back to the drawing board.

[FKAS]

The Glaws forwards fell apart in the second half. I was somewhat amazed when the took Slater off because he was the muscle in the pack. Garvey was a penalty machine and lucky not to go to the bin himself.

Tigers just looked like a team. Wigglesworth brought the leadership we needed and just made good decisions. The new bigger pack controlled things, Lavanini still to come back in as well as several quality front row options. It's the hope that kills you...

[Epaminondas Pules]

Well bugger me! Excellent!

[Banquo]

The Glaws forwards fell apart in the second half. I was somewhat amazed when the took Slater off because he was the muscle in the pack. Garvey was a penalty machine and lucky not to go to the bin himself.

Tigers just looked like a team. Wigglesworth brought the leadership we needed and just made good decisions. The new bigger pack controlled things, Lavanini still to come back in as well as several quality front row options. It's the hope that kills you...

Good stuff. I said. Wiggy was a good signing:)

[Oakboy]

I would never have predicted that result.

[Banquo]

Leicester should declare